Remainers have suffered a disaster after an ‘icon of Brexit’ was given a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list.
Founder of the Wetherspoon pub chain Tim Martin is among those who have been awarded a knighthood.
Following the announcement, political commentator Matthew Stadlen claimed Remainers would be “tearing their hair out” and “spitting out their cornflakes” at the idea of Mr Martin being honoured.
Mr Stadlen proceeded to admit that while he voted to remain in the Brexit referendum he believed that Sir Tim deserved his knighthood.
Mr Stadlen explained: “I’m someone who voted remain, but I think he does deserve his knighthood. As you say he has been responsible for the most enormous amount of money being pumped into the exchequer.
“He’s responsible for huge numbers of people being able to put food on the table of their families and a lot of people enjoy their experience of his pubs up and down the country.
“I have to admit I’ve only ever once been it was when I was making a film for a TV programme a long time ago.”
Mr Stadlen went on to joke that next year Reform Party leader Richard Tice could receive a knighthood next year “for services to the Labour Party”.
Following the announcement that he was to receive a knighthood, Sir Tm told PA: “It had never been expected, so it came out the blue. I always think that, in the pub world, it is a team effort – even if you’ve just got one pub there are many people involved.
“I always think that, in the pub world, it is a team effort – even if you’ve just got one pub there are many people involved.
“I think it’s the Wetherspoon colleagues and customers who are getting the award really, that’s the way I look at it. I’m just the lucky recipient.
“I’d like to think [the knighthood] is not for my rarely disclosed political views – I hope it is for what it says on the tin.”
The announcement of Sir Tim’s honour was welcomed by former politician and GB News host Nigel Farage.
Mr Farage told the BBC: “Tim Martin has created an extraordinary business, given great value to customers and preserved some wonderful historic buildings,
“I have appeared with him all over the country in the battle for Brexit and he is great company.”
According to the Daily Mail, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch pushed for Mr Martin to be recognised.
